this piece of "tin" plays an important part in directing the airflow to cool the brake caliper and rotor. Removing it is likely to change the heat flow characteristics in some ways which are quite unpredictable.

The only times I have seen these parts bent against the rotors have been when some really ignorant person bent them around by carelessly jamming wheels on at odd angles before hitting the center hole -- often these have been licensed Virginia State Safety inspectors, who are often totally unconcerned about the consequences of such damage done during their "safety inspections." I've even seen one of them drop the front wheel bearing cover of a drum brake car on an extremely dirty floor and then hammer it back on without any attempt to clean it or even look inside it.