Optimized buffer loading for packet header processing

A packet header processing engine includes a level (L) header generation unit and a level (L) header generation unit. The L and L header generation units are implemented in parallel with one another. The L generation unit writes L header information to a first buffer and the L generation unit writes L header information to a second buffer. When the L and L header generation units finish processing a packet, the packet may be unloaded from the first and second buffer while a new packet is simultaneously loaded to the packet header processing engine.