I was wondering too, but probably because there aren't many options available at the moment. Suprisingly as bad as we felt Julius Thomas did this year, he's still only slightly below average when it comes to TE production this year.
Julius Thomas
Receptions: 41 (#22)
Yards: 388 (#23)
TDs: 3 (Tied #20)
Other notable TE's:
Jimmy Graham (SEA): 57 rec, 520 yds, 10 TD
Eric Ebron (DET): 53 rec, 574 yds, 4 TD
Charles Clay (BUF): 49 rec, 558 yds, 2 YD
Hunter Henry (LAC): 45 rec, 579 yds, 4 TD
David Njoku (CLE): 32 rec, 386 yds, 4 TD
OJ Howard (TB): 26 rec, 432 yds, 6 TD
Dion Sims (CHI): 15 rec, 180 yds, 1 TD
So I guess they are waiting for a replacement... or god forbid... just going to roll with Thomas again...