AP

The Veteran Combine was a rude awakening for some players, who came to the painful realization that they just don’t have it anymore. But for others, the Veteran Combine was a big opportunity.

In fact, several of the participants in the Veteran Combine have already signed with NFL teams, well in advance of the start of offseason work and the filling of teams’ 90-player rosters.

The most recent signing was Brandon Copeland, a free agent linebacker who got a spot on the Lions thanks to his showing at the Veteran Combine.

The Vikings have signed two players from the Veteran Combine, Mike Kafka and Caesar Rayford. The Cardinals signed two as well, Nathan Slaughter and Ifeanyi Momah. The Bucs signed Emmanuel Ogbuehi and Ben Gottschalk.

The Colts signed Deveron Carr. The Chargers added Michael Huey.

Some of the best-known players who worked out at the Veteran Combine remain unsigned. Running backs Michael Bush, Felix Jones and Mikel Leshoure are all still looking for work. Adam Carriker, who is years past the time when he looked like one of the NFL’s most promising defensive linemen, hasn’t signed despite working out and talking openly about how eager he is to get another shot.

And, of course, Michael Sam still hasn’t found a team willing to give him a shot to become the first openly gay player to play in a regular-season NFL game. The Veteran Combine was no guarantee of a job for those who attended. But it was a good opportunity for some.