LTC2986 Multi- Sensor Input / Protection Resistor on Excitation Current Return Path.

Dear ADI Engineers,

I'm planning to use the LTC2986 for the temperature measuement with one RTD or two or three thermocouples (Schematic attached). In some application proposals, you can see the protection resistor RP6 attached between terminal T4 and ground (see the red box in the attached screenshot of datasheet p. 64/66, Fig. 48/52). Apart from protecting all terminals against the application of fault voltages, has this resistor any further influence on measurement performance? In my design, I'd like to omit the described protection resistor and connect the LTC2986's COM-pin directly to the grounded terminal 4. 

Yours sincerely

Leonard