I've made a careless mistake
 

Working on a friend's 2003 Saturn VUE FWD with the 2.2, among other things I'm having to do to this vehicle due to the infamous worn timing chain guides/jumped timing/bent all 16 valves routine, I pulled off the oil pan to remove any broken chain guide pieces (three of them) and a broken bolt head (seems to have come from under the front cover I think). In the process of cleaning sludge from the bottom of the pan I removed the plate bolted in the bottom that covers the oil pickup. Now for the careless part, I put the pan back on but forgot to re-install the plate in the bottom. It was obscured by a piece of bubble-wrap I had parts sitting on.

Is this a deal breaker? Do I have to pull the pan again and put the plate back in or is it not a critical thing to have in the first place?

Thanks in advance for words of wisdom from all you awesome Saturn junkies.

I would put it back together correctly. If you found sludge in the pan all the valve train may be worn out also not just the chain and guides. I would look at the bearings while you have the pan back off also.