Athlete’s protector crossword clue
27 Down · WSJ Crossword, July 20, 2026 · 3 letters
Explanation
The answer to “Athlete’s protector” is PAD. It appears as 27 Down in the Wall Street Journal crossword of July 20, 2026, a Monday puzzle titled “Hold On!” by Daniel Hrynick, and it fills 3 squares running top to bottom from row 5, column 15 of the 15×15 grid.
The clue is a straightforward definition, so the answer is a direct synonym or a factual match for the words as written. The entry begins with P and ends with D, and contains 1 vowel and 2 consonants. If you are working from the crossings, two or three confirmed letters from the Across entries should be enough to lock it in. Monday puzzles are the most approachable of the week, so expect the rest of this grid to be pitched at the same level.
Past appearances
Clues in other WSJ puzzles with the answer PAD:
- Word after bachelor or mouseJul 31, 2026
- Part of a dog’s pawMay 26, 2026
- It’s under the rugMay 8, 2026