2001 Dodge Ram 4x4 problems

I was using my 4x4 to pull a buddy out that got stuck truck was pulling fine then all at once 4x4 stopped pulling an heard alot of clattering in my front diff so I got out an checked my inner an outer pinion bearing is shot my question is with all that slack in my pinion now cause it to clatter an cause the front axle not to pull any more ... also what is the possibility of me having done destroyed my front pinion ??