Reduce Column width by suppressing content

If a column is sortable then the column header has a lot of content as well as column name.

Is there a way to optionally suppress the the Column action stuff (circled)? I know it can be useful for users but when space on the page is limited, something has to go. The only thing arguably NEEDED in the column action is the clear sort choice. could that not also be eliminated by making the column click three states (Sort Ascending, Sort Descending, Clear) instead of the current toggle (Sort Ascending, Sort Descending)?