Do i need a digitizer or just a screen?

[1357kt]

I've dropped my phone several times and it's been cracked for like 6 months (pixel 2 xl). But a couple weeks ago (can't remember if I dropped it again or not) a vertical light bar showed up on the right side of my screen. The guy at the store called it a lightsaber. Can I just replace the screen or do I need the $200 digitizer whatever piece?

TIA!

 

[SpookDroid]

Depends on how bad the damage is, but usually because of how these are assembled, most likely the digitizer gets damaged when attempting display repairs so the while piece (both display panel and touch digitizer) are sold and repaired together.