covering for

• shieldingProtecting from harm
• protectingKeeping from harm
• hidingStaying out of sight
• alibiDefense of location
• excuseOffered reason for wrongdoing

substituting · standing in · filling in · masking · concealing · lying · defending · sheltering · replacement · backup · proxy · stand-in · smokescreen · pretending · vouching · lying low · decoy · front

• kind actshelping, aiding, assisting, donating, sharing
• Excusingjustifying, forgiving, pardoning, condoning, rationalizing
• substitution wordsinstead of, in lieu of, rather than, replacing, supplanting