The Indianapolis Colts' recent roster shake-up has led to a familiar face heading back to his old stomping grounds. Linebacker John Bullock, who was waived by the Colts this week, has been claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Bullock's journey has been a whirlwind over the past few months. Originally signed by Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent out of Nebraska in 2025, he was released in early January before being quickly scooped up by the Colts. Now, just weeks later, he's returning to the Buccaneers, where he made his NFL debut last season.

While Bullock saw limited action on defense—appearing in just two games and playing six snaps, per Pro Football Focus—he made his mark as a key special teams contributor. Logging 252 snaps across four different phases, he proved his value in the kicking game, a role that often goes unnoticed but is critical for field position and game momentum.

The Colts' decision to part ways with Bullock comes as General Manager Chris Ballard has been busy reshaping the linebacker room. During the NFL draft, Indianapolis added CJ Allen and Bryce Boettcher, who will join free-agent signing Akeem Davis-Gaither, along with holdovers Jaylon Carlies and Austin Ajiake. Ballard also bolstered depth by signing undrafted free agents West Weeks and Tahj Chambers, creating a highly competitive environment at the position.

For Bullock, the return to Tampa Bay offers a fresh start with a team that already knows his capabilities. As training camp approaches, he'll look to build on his special teams experience and carve out a more significant role in the Buccaneers' defensive rotation.