Football is one of the most physically demanding sports still popular. Players work hard to build their physique and maintain it. And sometimes, mistakes happen. Intentionally or otherwise. Just last month, the league suspended Bills DL Michael Hoecht and DT Larry Ogunjobi for 6 games for violating the NFL Performance-Enhancing Drug policy. This time, the 49ers OL Isaac Alarcon got caught in the line of fire. He made a mistake that cost him dearly.

Two days ago, the league suspended the Niners player for 6 games without pay for violating the banned substance policy. He won’t be available for the first six games of the 2025 season now. Even though he’s not close to a starting slot, it will worry the HC Kyle Shanahan, who will be wary that they missed the playoffs last season because of injuries to players.

Following this update, the OL also released a statement. He talked about how demanding the league is. But also claimed total ignorance about the protein containing a banned substance, which was found during a drug test. The OL wrote, “I used a protein that I included in my routine a couple of times with total ignorance that it contained a prohibited substance by the league which was detected in the last test I recently did.”

However, he had to own up to his mistakes. The league and the franchises have staff (dietitians) in their camps to help the players. Despite that, Isaac Alarcon couldn’t keep an eye on the ingredients. He accepted his mistake and added, “I humbly accept this mistake and I fully understand the sanction that was granted to me which I promise never to commit again.”

While the 49ers will have one man less available to them in the first 6 games of 2025, they wouldn’t be worried much about the OL’s absence.

Will Isaac Alarcon’s absence affect the 49ers?

The Mexico native was part of the NFL‘s International Player Pathway Program, which opened the doors for the offensive tackle. The Cowboys selected him in April 2020, but he failed to find a spot in the lineup. He was in and out of America’s Team till 2024.

He also found a place in the fans’ hearts for appearing in the HBO series, Hard Knocks. But the journey hasn’t been smooth in the league. The 49ers signed him last January. The reserve/future contract binds him to the team. Yet he has never started any game in the NFL in four years. With the recent development, his chances seem to have diminished even further.

The NFL hasn’t blocked him from participating in off-season workouts at the team facility and playing in the preseason games. But the Niners have to navigate through the tough waters of suspension. Squad depth can become crucial at any moment.