The New England Patriots officially placed veteran offensive lineman Matt Light on the reserve/retired list Tuesday, according to a source.

This means Light's retirement is official. With Light on the reserve/retired list, he doesn't count against the Patriots' 90-man roster limit. The move has been anticipated for more than a month.

Light, 33, played his entire career with the Patriots after the team selected him in the second round of the 2001 draft, serving as quarterbackTom Brady's blindside protector. Light was a first-team All-Pro in 2007 and a member of the AFC Pro Bowl team in 2006 and '07.

With the NFL announcing rosters would expand to 90 effective Tuesday, and with unsigned draft picks counting against that limit, placing Light on the reserve/retired list opens another spot.

It's possible Light could change his mind, but this transaction means Light is now considered retired.