Donnelly, in his first game for the season on Saturday, left the field after 10 minutes against the Chiefs in Taupo, and there were real fears about his playing future.
But Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said the lock had pulled up well on Sunday and had trained yesterday.
Donnelly (29) stayed out of contact training yesterday, but could still run, and would go and get a precautionary scan on the shoulder today.
Though this would ultimately decide the extent of the injury, Joseph was a lot more positive on the immediate playing future of the All Black lock.
Donnelly had gone through two operations on the shoulder in past years so was naturally nervous about the injury.
Though he is unlikely to play in the final warm-up game for the season, against the Crusaders in Oamaru on Friday, he could still be available to play against the Hurricanes in the first Super 15 game of the season on February 18.
Hooker Mahonri Schwalger is a definite non-starter for that game after dislocating his collarbone.
Joseph said he would be out for three to four weeks.
No player would be brought into the squad with Otago hookers Liam Coltman and Sam Anderson-Heather part of the wider training group.
The playing future of outside back Kurt Baker is also looking cloudy.
Although there is no official word out of the Highlanders camp, he is believed not to have recovered from a stress fracture in his back and will miss the start of the season at least, and may be in doubt for the entire campaign.
Baker had been signed by the Highlanders for two years but would now be replaced in the squad for this season by Kade Poki.
Poki had impressed so far in his two games and is a wise pick-up for the franchise.
The Tasman outside back has already played two years of Super 14 rugby for the Crusaders but such is the depth of talent in the Christchurch-based franchise, he was left out when the Super 15 teams were named last year.
Joseph said injuries were obviously not what he planned for and had happened to some key players.
First five-eighth Colin Slade injured his jaw in the first half of the opening pre-season game against the Blues and is out for between six and seven weeks.
