The crossword solution for the term 'knocked off schedule' is 'preempted'. Preempted means to take action in order to prevent something from happening or to prevent someone else from doing something. It is often used in the context of taking control of a situation before someone else has a chance to do so. In this case, it could mean that something has caused a disruption to a planned schedule and has forced the person or group to take action in order to prevent further disruption.