The one thing Georgia wanted to avoid almost more than losing Saturday was injury to any of its front-line players. The Bulldogs weren’t able to do that.
Dominick Sanders, the only defensive back to start every game this season, went out of the game in the first quarter with a lower-left leg injury. He did not return.
Afterward, the Bulldogs were not able to say whether Sanders would be ready for Georgia Tech. But X-rays taken at the stadium for a possible break were negative and coach Mark Richt described it as a bruised shin.
“It’s a contusion,” Richt said. “He got leg-whipped in the shin. I think he’ll be fine. There’s no issues as far as the X-rays.”
It did not look good initially. Sanders was injured defending a pass on a third-down play for Charleston Southern at the 7:30 mark of the opening period. Trainers attended to him for a long time on the field, and then Sanders was helped off without being able to put any weight on the leg.
Doctors examined Sanders on the Georgia sideline and an ice pack was applied. He was then take into the locker room, presumably for further examination.
Sanders has been the biggest defensive surprise for the Bulldogs. A true freshman from Tucker, he was one of the biggest surprises in the incoming class, coming in behind several higher-ranked prospects but becoming the only one to crack the starting lineup. He has played all three positions in the secondary — cornerback, safety and star — and entered the Charleston Southern game seventh on the team in tackles with 28, tied for team lead with four pass break-ups and one interception.
