Protect defender in the NFL? (5)
I believe the answer is:
guard
'protect' is the definition.
(I know that guard is a more specific form of the action protect)
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for guard that I've seen before include "Protect(or)" , "Sentinel" , "Screw" , "One keeps watch" , "Shield" .)