I use it with limited accuracy to check if my message has been read yet. Doubtlessly that would be better off as a dedicated feature if it’s to be supported though. I agree that the views column isn’t really necessary.
Even without it though, the columns should still be labeled. How will I know what data the column of integers represents? I’d assume it’d be replies if I assumed it was a pick between replies/views, but that’s a lot of assumptions. I’m not getting how column labels would “waste the space”, as @codinghorror mentions, on the page when there’s already a row reserved for them with the Select Messages button:
There’s also no way for me to sort messages with the most/least replies without the column labels.