Hi. I got in a minor car wreck like 3+ years ago and took some damage to the front drivers side of the car. The plastic bumper was kinda hanging off but it was driveable with no issues so off I went. Now years later various plastic pieces have started to shift and get in the tire's way during turns. After ripping off various pieces the last few months I got under there today and I see a mini air box w/ a plastic novel facing front to suck up air and it connects to a rubber hose which goes up into the engine. Is this an extension of the main air intake or is it feeding air to somewhere else?

The box is half eaten away from the tire rubbing it. If there ever was a filter in there it's long gone now. The box is dragging on the ground so I just wanna cut it off at the hose and be done w/ the whole thing. Anyone see any issues w/ that?

Thanks in advance for any help you can lend.

-Bill