This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Saturday, February 14, 2026 (44 Down). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Saturday puzzles are the hardest of the week and themeless, so clues are often deliberately misleading.
Answer length: 6 squares
First letter
T _ _ _ _ _
First and last letters
T _ _ _ _ E
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About the answer
TACKLE as a word: (sports, countable) A play where a player attempts to take control over the ball from an opponent, as in rugby or football; (rugby, American football, countable) A play where a defender brings the ball carrier to the ground.
TACKLE has been an answer once in the NYT Crossword and Mini puzzles we have on file, which go back to October 23, 2025.
More clues from this puzzle
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- Violating the rules (46 Down)
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- Goose named for its call (49 Down)
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