FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots announced that offensive tackle Matt Light has been placed on the reserve/injured list with an ankle injury. Light, who suffered the injury in the Patriots' 23-20 win at Pittsburgh on Sept. 25, will miss the remainder of the 2005 regular season and playoffs. He becomes the 10th player to be placed on injured reserve by the Patriots this season.
Light, 27, has played in 65 games with 63 starts for the Patriots since being selected in the second round (48th overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-4-inch, 305-pound offensive lineman has also played in and started nine playoff games for New England, including victories in Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII and XXXIX. Prior to his injury, the Purdue University product had started 66 consecutive regular-season and playoff games for the Patriots at left tackle. In 2004, Light was a part of an offensive line that enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in club history, paving the way for the team to average more then four yards per carry for the first time in 19 seasons. The offensive line was a key component as running back Corey Dillon set a single-season franchise record with 1,635 rushing yards last season. The offensive line's 2004 performance included allowing only 26 sacks, the fewest by the Patriots in 10 years.
Light was the 2005 recipient of the New England Patriots Ron Burton Community Service Award, an annual honor given to the Patriots player who shows an exceptional commitment to the community and to helping others.
