Last season, he was chosen NFL Man of the Year and was the lone Pro Bowl player for a Dolphins team that went 1-15. His departure is the latest move in a major roster shakeup.

Zach Thomas, the other anchor of the Dolphins’ defense over the past decade, was released in February and signed with the Dallas Cowboys — meaning he and Taylor, who are brothers-in-law, go from being teammates to being members of NFC East rivals.

In Miami, Taylor played primarily at right end, but Cerrato said Washington will move him to the left side, where Daniels was the starter. Andre Carter plays right defensive end for the Redskins.

Wichard said he first became aware the deal might happen Sunday morning.

“When we heard Daniels went down, that started it on a fast track,” Wichard said.

Daniels tore a left knee ligament on the initial play of 7-on-7 offense vs. defense drills. He stayed down on the turf for several minutes before being taken away on a cart, a towel draped over his head. He’s expected to have surgery Friday.

“Not a good way to start, at all,” middle linebacker London Fletcher said. “It’s a big blow to our defense. Phil was a tremendous leader, excellent at playing the run, and was going to be our third-down attack guy. With him going down, it’s like we’re replacing two guys.”

Daniels has played 12 seasons in the NFL with Washington, Chicago and Seattle, accumulating 59 sacks.

The Redskins also lost another defensive end, reserve Alex Buzbee, to a season-ending injury during their afternoon practice. Buzbee ruptured his Achilles’ tendon.

“With Phillip gone, and now Buzbee gone, there’s a hole there,” Washington’s Jim Zorn said after running his first training camp practices as an NFL head coach. “And Phillip has created a big hole.”

One quickly filled with the trade for Taylor.

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