49ers' Jordan Willis suspended six games for PED violation

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Jordan Willis will be a spectator for at least the opening one-third of the 2021 NFL regular reason. 

Per Nick Wagoner of ESPN, the NFL confirmed Thursday that Willis has been suspended for the first six games of the 2021 campaign for a violation of the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs. It's unknown exactly what Willis did or didn't do to earn the ban, but he will be permitted to participate in all summer practices and preseason games leading up to Week 1. 

Willis joined the NFL when the Cincinnati Bengals selected him in the third round of the 2017 draft. The 26-year-old was with the New York Jets at the start of the 2020 season but was traded to the Niners in October. He played in seven games with San Francisco and accumulated 13 total tackles with 2.5 sacks. 

In March, Willis re-signed with San Francisco on a one-year deal that carries a base salary of $990,000. 

The news broke roughly 24 hours after it was learned that former San Francisco tight end and current free agent Chase Harrell was suspended for the entire upcoming regular season. Harrell received a six-game ban last October for a PED policy violation.