Washington Redskins general manager Bruce Allen has conceded that quarterback Robert Griffin III should not have opened the season last year as he had not had sufficient practice.

Griffin had knee surgery to repair multiple ligaments last year, and although the medical staff cleared him to resume practising, former coach Mike Shanahan opted to keep him out of pre-season games.

"What you saw last year was almost a little disrespectful to the game of football. It's impossible to ask a player to perform well during the regular season if you haven't practised," Allen said, ESPN reports.

Allen insists that this year his quarterback is in a much better position as he has had a full off-season to prepare and his knee is fully recovered.