 In the Good Friday Championship league clash against the Featherstone Rovers on 14 April 2017, Donaldson unfortunately suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury in Hull Kingston Rovers' 30-22 victory at Craven Park.Donaldson (currently injured at the time), was part of the Hull Kingston Rovers' side that won promotion back to the Super League, at the first time of asking following relegation the season prior, securing automatic promotion through the 2017 Qualifiers process.Donaldson made his long-awaited return from his ACL kneeinjury on 15 March 2018, in a Super League fixture against the Huddersfield Giants, Hull Kingston Rovers ran-out 6-38 victors, with James featuring from off the interchange bench.