Retired LT Matt Light says there's a "zero percent" chance he ever plays again. "Not in a bad way but when you close the door, it's always good to keep walking," Light said Monday. Making the rounds at ESPN, the 33-year-old Light also revealed he underwent 14-career surgeries. Second-year pro Nate Solder is taking Light's place on the blindside in New England.

Retired LT Matt Light revealed Monday that he played through Crohn's disease for his entire 11-year career. Crohn's is a bowel disease that affects the digestive system. Light says it was a factor in his decision to hang up his cleats, and that he suffered a near-death experience in 2004. That year, Light suffered complications from an operation to remove 13 inches of his intestine, and couldn't eat for a month. His weight dropped from 315 to 260 pounds following the June operation, and held him out of Patriots' training camp until the third week. Incredibly, Light missed just six games with injury his final six seasons.

Patriots placed LT Matt Light on the reserve/retired list.

Patriots LT Matt Light has retired from football. Light didn't show for this week's voluntary workouts, and Profootballtalk.com confirmed via a league source that he's decided to hang 'em up. A three-time Pro Bowler and Tom Brady's longtime blindside protector, Light started 153 career games and was voted a first-team All Pro in 2007. He's not a Hall of Famer, but Light should make his way into the Patriots' Ring of Honor.

Patriots LT Matt Light is not present for voluntary workouts this week.

Patriots LT Matt Light has hinted he may play in 2012. "Last season was great," Light said Sunday. "I enjoyed it, which I kind of made obvious there at the end." Light was recently elected to the NFLPA's executive committee, and says he's near full health. However, he would not need to play in 2012 to maintain his seat on the committee. The expectation remains that he will retire.

ESPN Boston expects Patriots LT Matt Light to retire. Light has been contemplating retirement since the Patriots' Super Bowl loss, but hasn't offered any public insight into his decision. It's believed he'd have to take a pay-cut from his $3.4 million salary and accept a swing-tackle role to remain with the Pats.

Multiple NFL sources tell the Boston Globe the Patriots are "prepared to move on without" LT Matt Light and free agent C Dan Koppen. Light is contemplating retirement, while Koppen will likely be allowed to walk after breaking his ankle in Week 1 last season. The Patriots' "hope" is to re-sign fellow free agent C Dan Connolly. According to the Globe, the "big question" is if Light will be willing to come back "as a backup at less money." Light has yet to publicly comment on his future since the Patriots' Super Bowl loss.

According to the Boston Herald, LT Matt Light's two-year, $12 million contract signed last July was essentially a one-year, $7 million guarantee. Light had a fine season at age 33, but he hinted that the Patriots may not even want him back for the second year of that deal with Nate Solder ready to take over. Light will reportedly contemplate retirement this offseason.

The Boston Herald reports LT Matt Light is considering retirement, and that the "expectation" is he won't be back with the Patriots in 2012. Light hasn't commented on his future since the Patriots' Super Bowl loss, and as far as we know, he never publicly broached the idea of retirement during the 2011 season. Including the playoffs, he allowed just 2.5 sacks in 18 starts last season. Were Light to retire, Nate Solder would be his logical replacement on the blindside.