The Miami Dolphins are diving headfirst into a rebuild with the first step being shedding unsavory veteran contracts off their books.
They started that process Thursday by releasing defensive end Andre Branch and guard Ted Larsen, a source told ESPN.
The two moves will save Miami $9.15 million in salary cap space.
Several other big Dolphins names are in jeopardy of being released soon, including Ryan Tannehill, defensive end Robert Quinn and wide receiver DeVante Parker.
Branch, 29, convinced the Dolphins to give him a three-year, $24 million deal in March 2017 after a promising 2016 season in which he finished with 5.