The Jacksonville Jaguars signed veteran safety Tashaun Gipson to a one-year contract on Sunday, bringing him back to the team even though he will serve a six-game suspension to start the regular season.
Gipson played for Jacksonville from 2016 to 2018 and was a starter on the 2017 team that reached the AFC Championship Game. The Jaguars lost to Tom Brady and New England after leading by 10 points in the fourth quarter.
Gipson will join the team for practice starting Monday and may act as an experienced backup—essentially providing midseason support—once his suspension ends in late October.
Gipson will be able to play for Jacksonville beginning in Week 7 against New England in London. He was suspended in early July for breaking the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
Gipson, who turned 34 last week, started all 16 games for San Francisco last season. He has started 165 of 173 career regular-season games with Cleveland, Jacksonville, Houston, Chicago, and the 49ers. He has 33 career interceptions and was named to the Pro Bowl with the Browns in 2014.
The Jaguars are currently missing veteran safety Andrew Wingard due to a knee injury that might keep him out for several months.