49ers defensive lineman Jordan Willis was suspended without pay by the NFL for the first six games of the season Thursday for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Willis, 26, will be able to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games. After the regular season begins, he’ll be eligible to return to the 49ers’ active roster on Oct. 25 following the team’s Week 7 game vs. the Indianapolis Colts.
The 49ers acquired Willis and a 2021 seventh-round draft pick from the New York Jets last October for a 2022 sixth-round draft pick. Willis then played in seven games and was signed by the 49ers in March to a one-year contract.
Willis was set to compete for a roster spot in camp on the defensive line with Zach Kerr, Maurice Hurst, Arden Key, Kevin Givens, Kentavius Street, Darrion Daniels, Alex Barrett, and Daeshon Hall.
Projected to lead the defensive line for the 49ers are Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw, D.J. Jones, and Samson Ebukam. Nick Bosa and Dee Ford will also play integral roles, assuming both can return to full health. Bosa last month opted to continue his rehabilitation from a torn ACL in his hometown of Fort Lauderdale rather than attend the team’s voluntary workouts in Santa Clara.
The 49ers are Willis’ third NFL team. He was drafted by Cincinnati in the third round in 2017 and spent two seasons with the Bengals, playing in all 32 games, before he was waived in September 2019. He was later claimed by the Jets and played 11 games in New York before he was traded to San Francisco.
