Dominick Sanders played through shoulder injury last season

ATHENS, Ga. (TNS) — Georgia senior strong safety Dominick Sanders did not post the same numbers last season that he produced in 2015.

Sanders told reporters in Athens that he played with a shoulder injury throughout last October and November, admitting that coaches monitored his situation.

“It was to a point where they didn’t want me to play,” Sanders said. “I told coaches that I’m going to play until they knock it out of place or until it’s hanging. My main thing is that I’m not worried about injuries. I’ve got injuries all the time.

“If it’s not surgery, I’m not sitting out.”

Sanders, a 6-foot, 193-pounder from the Atlanta suburb of Tucker, made The Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference first team after a 2015 season in which he tallied 48 tackles, five tackles for loss and six interceptions. He returned the six interceptions for a school-record 205 yards, and his six pickoffs accounted for half of Georgia’s total.

Last season, Sanders had 34 tackles, three interceptions and no postseason recognition. He announced after December’s Liberty Bowl victory over TCU that he would be returning for his senior season, which he hopes will be injury-free.

“Every tackle I made with that shoulder, it made a noise every time,” Sanders said. “At the same time, I told myself, ‘I’m not seeing a doctor. I’m going to keep playing.’”