Civic EG

So I'm replacing my tie rod ends, when I opened the package on the new ones I noticed there is a washer type piece that has 2 prongs on the end of one side. When I removed the old one it did not have the said washer. My questions are, is it needed and would it cause excessive play in the steering if it isn't installed

I know these sound like dumb questions but I am unsure since the old don't have them.

It's a lock washer that you bend over to keep the inner tie rod from walking out.