Homes offering protection for players (4)
I believe the answer is:
pads
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'homes' is the first definition.
(pad can mean a person's home)
'protection for players' is the second definition.
(kneepads etc people playing sports)
'offering' is the link.
(Other definitions for pads that I've seen before include "Treads" , "Walks softly" , "Fleshes out" , "Apartments; cushions" , "Bolsters" .)