The NFL on Tuesday suspended 49ers long snapper Kyle Nelson for 10 games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances as a repeat offender.
The suspension begins immediately, the league announced. Nelson must sit out the final four games this season and the first six of 2019.
Nelson will be eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games following the 2018 season prior to resuming his suspension at the start of the 2019 regular season.
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SIGN UP HERE “I have been taking the same supplements for my entire time with the 49ers, while undergoing often simultaneous testing by the NFL with no issues,” Nelson said in a statement released through the team.
“I do not deviate from my nutrition routine, and I would never knowingly take a banned substance. I am currently having the supplements tested, and I hope to uncover the cause of the positive test. When the product is identified, I fully intend to seek legal action against the manufacturer to protect against this happening to other players in the future.”
Nelson's previous NFL suspension came on Oct. 21, 2011, his rookie year, reports NBC Sports Bay Area's Jennifer Lee Chan. He had recently been cut from the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad and served a four-game suspension for violating the league's policy on PEDs while a free agent.
Nelson, 32, a seven-year pro, previously spent time in the NFL with New Orleans, Kansas City, Philadelphia, the Chargers, Seattle and Washington. He made the 49ers' regular-season roster in 2014 and appeared in 76 consecutive games with the club before his suspension this week.
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“We are certainly disappointed to be losing Kyle for 10 games,” 49ers general manager John Lynch said. “Hopefully, this serves as a reminder to all of our players that they need to take the proper steps to know exactly what they are putting in their bodies.”
The 49ers apparently last week had warning that a suspension could be finalized in the near future. The 49ers reportedly had workouts with five long snappers, including Jon Condo, 37, who spent 12 seasons with the Raiders. Tanner Carew, Jon Condo, Lucas Gravelle, Colin Holba and Taybor Pepper also took part in workouts.
Nelson’s suspension is the second of its kind for the 49ers this season. Wide receiver Victor Bolden was suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.