The Dallas Cowboys are making a change at safety — and it’s not by choice.

Malik Hooker is out with a toe injury, opening the door for Juanyeh Thomas to make his second career start in what’s shaping up to be an emotional and high-stakes matchup — not just for the team, but for the Thomas family.

“It’s something I’ve been practicing for,” said Thomas, who’s been preparing like a starter all season. “I won’t do anything different. I’ll just see what I can do.”

Thomas will step into a struggling Cowboys defense that ranks:

• 32nd in total yards allowed,

• 32nd in passing yards allowed,

• 31st in points allowed, and

• 32nd in third-down defense.

Despite the brutal numbers, Thomas remains optimistic.

“It’s been rough the past four games, but we’re going to get it right. I truly believe that,” he said.

And he’s already made his mark — remember that blocked extra point against the Packers that led to a defensive 2-point conversion?

This week brings a special twist: Thomas will line up against his younger brother, Azareye’h Thomas, a rookie cornerback for the New York Jets, who’s logged a tackle and a pass breakup across four games.

“The day after he got drafted, we were just sitting there talking like, ‘Man, we used to dream about this. Now it’s real,’” Juanyeh reflected.

The brothers plan to link up briefly Saturday night and swap jerseys postgame, with their mother Stephanie in attendance — proudly wearing split gear repping both teams.

As the Cowboys try to fix a defense in freefall, all eyes will be on Thomas — both brothers, in fact — as they live out a childhood dream under the NFL spotlight.