Yes, the sun can damage your sensor, as detailed in the previous sensors. If it is that strong, compared to your sensor's sensitivity, you won't get a useful exposure in any case.
If you do want to photograph the sun, you can use an ND400 filter. This is the one I use: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/155266-REG/Hoya_A77ND400_77_mm_Neutral_Density.html
It will reduce the strength of the sun by a factor of 400, making the sun dark enough to not over-expose it and much less likely to damage your sensor, at least for exposures not too long where the sun is not over-exposed.
- Itai